A sudden and devastating collision with a car, truck, or even pavement can result in a variety of debilitating and catastrophic injuries for motorcyclists in New York City.
When a car or truck strikes a motorcycle, the rider can sustain severe or even fatal injuries while the driver of the car or truck often escapes unhurt.
A motorcyclist may also experience emotional and psychological trauma from the crash.
According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report for 2022, motorcyclists accounted for 15% of all traffic-related fatalities in the country despite representing only 3.5% of all registered motor vehicles.
Motorcycling requires skill, concentration, and reasonable precautions. Speeding is the leading cause of motorcycle accidents in New York City. In a densely populated area like New York City, speeding is a deadly option.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the majority of motorcycle accidents involve high-performance sports motorcycles.
A few motorcyclists engage in speeding and other reckless behavior. However, most motorcyclists go to great lengths to avoid accidents. Even after taking all possible safety precautions, motorcyclists may still be vulnerable to devastating accidents.
According to a National Transportation Safety Board report, 64% of motorcycle accidents were caused by the negligence of other motorists rather than the fault of motorcyclists.
Injured NYC motorcyclists can seek compensation for their injuries and other damages. An experienced New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyer can help victims determine and demonstrate liability and recover the compensation they require to better their lives.
You Can Recover Compensation Even If Speeding Was One Of The Causes Of The Accident
Pure comparative negligence in New York allows victims to recover damages even if they were partially at fault for an accident.
If your speeding was one of the causes of your accident, your compensation will be reduced. However, you will not be barred from pursuing a claim.
For example, if another motorist was primarily at fault for your accident, but you were exceeding the speed limit, you may be partially at fault for causing the accident.
Pure comparative negligence allows victims to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party, regardless of their share of fault. In New York, a victim may be 99% responsible for an accident and still file a claim for damages.
The insurance company will determine your compensation based on your percentage of fault. If you are 20% at fault for an accident, you will only receive 80% of the damages.
If you disagree with the insurance company's settlement offer, you may take the case to court, where a jury will determine the percentage of fault.
Motorcyclists Have To Deal With Severe Injuries After An Accident
A motorcycle offers very little protection to riders when an accident occurs. Motorcycle accident injuries can be severe and catastrophic, requiring a substantial sum of money to pay medical bills.
The life-altering physical and mental impairments arising from motorcycle accidents include Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), fractured skulls, spinal cord injuries, amputation, severe burns, organ failure, broken bones, disability, depression, and anxiety.
Injured Riders Have To Deal With Anti-motorcycle Prejudices
American society has a long-standing prejudice against motorcyclists.
Anti-motorcycle bias is a major contributing factor in many motorcycle accidents in New York City.
Most drivers place less importance on motorcyclist safety on the road.
The police frequently stop motorcyclists for no reason.
The negative perception of motorcyclists as rebellious thrill seekers who have no regard for the safety of others can undermine the legitimate case of a motorcyclist who has suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligence.
Insurance companies may take advantage of society’s hostility towards motorcyclists to deny them fair and just compensation following an accident.
There are always more drivers than motorcycle enthusiasts on juries. When assigning fault in a motorcycle accident case, jurors may assume that the motorcyclist is to blame. A personal injury lawyer with trial experience can educate jurors by dispelling common misconceptions about riders. A seasoned lawyer plays a significant role in minimizing your percentage of the fault so that you can receive deserved compensation.
Contact A New York City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident in the Big Apple due to someone else's negligence, you may struggle to convince the legal system that someone else is at fault.
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in New York City can help you obtain the compensation you need to pay medical bills, carry out accident-related home and vehicle modifications, and recover past wages and future earning capacity losses to rebuild your life.
Your lawyer will help you understand your legal rights, negotiate with insurers, and provide litigation support if necessary.
Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer near you immediately to schedule a free case consultation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Olivia Poglianich
Content Strategist
Olivia Poglianich is a nomadic brand strategist and copywriter in the motorcycling and adventure space who has worked with brands such as Visa, Disney and Grey Goose. Her writing has taken her all over the world, from a Serbian music festival to a Malaysian art and culture event. Olivia is a graduate of Cornell University and is often writing or reading about travel, hospitality, the start-up ecosystem or career coaching. Her latest interests are at the intersection of web3 and communal living, both on and offline.
